PURI: With preparations underway for the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025, the Puri District Administration is strengthening on-ground civic infrastructure to ensure a safer and seamless experience for over 15 million pilgrims expected this year.
This year’s approach goes beyond crowd management. The administration is deploying shaded rest areas, hydration kiosks, public sanitation units, and multilingual helpdesks at high-density points with support of top Indian corporates. These measures aim to address critical issues like heat exhaustion, lack of rest zones, and information gaps for first-time pilgrims.
“These upgrades reflect a shift from reactive arrangements to pre-emptive, humane infrastructure,” said Siddharth Shankar Swain, District Collector, Puri. “With temperatures soaring and footfalls increasing each year, it has become essential to provide structured, scalable public services throughout the Yatra route.”
Jagannath Dham app offering real-time alerts, directions, and spiritual messaging in Odia, Hindi, and English, has also been launched to support navigation and crowd dispersal. All brand-led interventions go through pre-activation audits and cultural review checks by local authorities.
Swain added, “We welcome the growing enthusiasm from India Inc., as brands step forward to participate in the sacred duty of seva. It’s heartening to see them not just seeking visibility, but contributing meaningfully to the well-being of crores of pilgrims.”
